Clamp for denture flasks



July 26, 1949.

Filed Deo. 31, 1945 F. C. MONTUORI CLAMP FOR DENTURE FLASKS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 74 7 7 17 U7' l al l 5 I@ 1 l 75L July 26, 1949. F. MNTUORI 2,477,197v

I CLAMP FOR DENTURE FLASKS Filed DGO. 3l, 1945 1 3 Sheets-Shet 5 l 1i/7129.10, l

Patented July 26, 1949 e Y Y 2eme? @ma ummm FIaAags. lela-G-i Memer@ Weenea 11.0 Anpmarmneeemheesl,1945, spiallmassaa This inventiaa. relaieea mere k'partisanarly *492, a- 110 ne; ta-@heerabpaimeat or the?. iaveatian '1, tf1-5. www" it will be abe@ ya@ enig. c1 mp .Sentially inludes th elwine Oppoai? jawememberlwha um@ tpgefvnensy baz-constatata Siam flasls by.: applying .exeraaxk measure t0,-

Off the gleviea wlllc .enablea t serxed; tat. w en; exiraae S@ pxesw; l. A v e 1e`.asef1:, the:jaws` 9i .,he clamp Wu laQl'thex e. lconstantly energied: Sng .S.- The, aljange: together las@- unifem mellidatrlmed meas; mentfeuehfbhawhej eaandl lly incident to the wel mine; xaneememh ema-1 held -tqaetner by the envisagei S- ia auch awaxpleyed. thaftex initially amassed @Meer tegame? man 4laffflurebel?. abject 9i laefmentian t9. ma ida the nexnal milanese 9i th ilask se thatwhea aeifiee'efneme amlgwgerem 50,. weeen e 1S applied ta lenalaxl..12.S.v asaoeiated; vianial features. are ible Qifmpdifi 51o -i e sexexal'riems `0 embadimemi,

one@ e membensbhey may. 112eseparatedV a, 1.11m tqadmihe aelaav-d',afteactheexenawaecms.mesel pnaetleakand reuamea. ".Jsfhehman@` ,e Sure; xemaved .the nask wm be umermlx eoniapetion wml a; laydzzaui'e meas, aimer. clamped. by aprirlanressvuxe between medalla appwpriatefmeaga e iand li Referring first to the upper jaw member A, it will be observed th`at the same is provided inwardly of its ends with the substantially right angularly disposed guide arms or members I which extend downwardly beyond the jaw B, as shown, to provide the supporting feet 2 intended to rest on a suitable fixed base C, which, as will presently appear, may be the anvil of a hydraulic press, or any other appropriate surface. The lower jaw member B isA provided with the substantially right angularly disposed upwardly directed guide arms 3 which are in sliding contact v,

with the inner faces of the guide arms I of the jaw member A. As shown in the drawings, it will be observed that the upper plunger ends 4 of the arms 3 project through the slots 5 of the jaw member A. The guide arms 3 are provided inwardly of their upper ends 4 with the shoulders 6 which abut against the inner face of theupper jaw member A. Thus, the distance between the shouldersA S and the upper face of the lower jaw B` defines the space for receiving the denture flask, but when the clamp is not in use the said space or distance just referred to is less than the depth` or thickness of the flask. On the other hand, when a flask is inserted between the jaws, this distance is increased, and the jaws subject the flask sections to pressure.

The jaw members A and B are respectively provided with the outwardly projecting ears 1 and 8 to which the opposite ends of the springs S are anchored, thereby tending to draw the jaws A and B together and, when the jaws are empty, maintaining the abutment shoulders 6 in the position shown in Fig. 5. In connection with the guide arms 2 of the jaw member A it will be observed that they are 'guided between the lowerV ears 8 8 of the jaw member B so that in eiect' the jaw member B is slotted tol receive the guide arms I, substantially after the same lfashion as the slots 5 receive the upper ends 4 of the guide arms 3 of the jaw members B.`

When the device is assembled as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, and it is desired to insert the dental ask F, the upper ends 4 of the guide arms 3 are subjected to extraneous pressure by any appropriate means, such for example, as the head H of a hydraulic press, while the extension feet 2 of the arms I rest on the anvil C of the press. As shown in Fig. 4 the jaws AV and B are separated sufliciently to permit of theI insertion or removal of the flask F. Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrates the ilask clamped between the jaws and ready to be immersed in boiling water or the like, for the conventional curing operation.

`From the foregoing it will be understood that the springs S are under constant tension even when the clamp is not in use, the springs S normally holding the jaws A and B n'the relationshipshown in Fig. 5. However, when it is desired to open the same to admit a ilask between the jaws, they are separated as shown in Fig. 4, and,l when pressure is removed the sections of the asks are uniformly clamped together, accurately, and without distortion.

A modication of the invention is illustrated in Fig.V 6 wherein the base C is provided with upstanding tubular columns or equivalent members I Il. The jaw A is rigidly carried by the upper end of the tubular member I0 as indicated at II, while the lower jaw B is slidably mounted on the tubular columns lil-I0. As shown in Figs. A6 and '1 the said members I0 are provided with slots I2 which receive the cross pin I 3 `of a plunger I4 whose upper end projects beyond'the upper jaw member A. The jaw member A and B are urged toward each other by the tension springs S. Thus, when the clamp is not in use the lower jaw B is limited in its upward movement, under the force of the springs S', by the cross pins I3 engaging the upper ends of the slots I2. When it is desired to admit a ask for clamping engagement between the jaws A' and B' it is only necessary to apply extraneous pressure to the upper ends of the plungers Il. .Y In that event the cross vpins I3 will force the'lower jaw member B' downwardly a suiicient distance to permit separation of the jaw members A' and B' to admit a flask.

In Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the springs S and S are constantly in tension. However, Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings illustrate a modification of the invention where the springs S2 are of the compression type. As will be observed from these iigures, the jaw member A2 is provided with the right angularly disposed guide arms Y I5 which terminate in the inwardly disposed feet I6 intended to rest on an anvil or equivalent base C3. The guide arms I5 are medially slotted as indicated at I1, thereby to receive the studs I 8 carried by the upwardly extending guide arms I9 of the lower jawmember B. The guide arms I9 are provided with shoulder portions 20 which abut against the under face of the upper jaw A3, as shown in Fig. 9. The guide arms I9 have upper plunger portions 2I which are of less width than the arms, thereby to form the Yshoulders 20 previously referred to land also enable the arms I9 to be guided in the slots 22 formed in the upper jaw member A2. The compression springs S2 are placed between the upper surfaces of the supporting feet I6 and the underside of the lower jaw member B3, thereby normally tending to force the lower jaw member B3 upwardly as far as the shoulders 20 on the arms I9 will permit because of their engagement with the underside of the upper jaw A3. The'springs S2 may becentered'and held in their assembledposition by'appropriate studs 23-23 on the jaw B2 and the studs 24-24 on the inturned supporting feet I6. Y

When itis desired to place a ilask between the jaw members A3 and B3 it is only necessary to apply pressure on the extensions 2I of the arms I9, 'thereby further compressing the springs S2 'and spacing the jaws suiiciently apart to admit the iiask. After the -iask has been inserted,the extraneous pressure may` be removed and the ask will be rmly secured in the clamp so that it can be subjected to the usual curing operation.

In the form shown in Figs. 10-12 the upper jaw member A3 has the downwardly extending side arms I53 provided with shoulders I54 medially thereof, while their lower ends are formed as at I 63 into the base C3. The lower jaw B3 is recessed at its ends, as indicated at 25 to provide slots for receiving the arms |53 and 'also provide the plunger' ears 21. The springs'S3 are compressed between the base C3 and lower jaw B3, the said springs being centered on studs 233 and 243, respectively on the jaw B3 and base C3. extraneous pressure is applied to ears 21, the jaws are separated to admit a I'lask.

In all forms of theinvention, the essential characteristics are' 'a pair'of jaw members urged together under spring force but limited as to their movement toward each other in such a way that the normal space between the jawsl is less than the depth of a'dental ask. When it is desired to insert a dental ask, one of the jaws v75 lis moved relative to the other, against the force When Y ampere births-1 springs, thereby' separatin'gi the jaws-:tof-

admittthe' flask; andiwhen pressure` is removedi the'rflaskfsis held between the i jaws byl the4 force offspring: energy.

Without :further descriptionizit'lisA `believed lthat' theeatures and-advantages lof-the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art andi.

1; .Mclamplfori uniformly distributing holding.. pressure: tothe assembled mating sections; of a. denturmflask, comprising', a pair I of opposite. jawv memhersxof widthand length toreceive a. flask therebetween,means lfor limiting the. movementk cfthe jawstoward .each votherzfor a distance; less than the thickness of an assembled ask, con-- stantly energizedspring means for moving. said members together, and meanson one of the jaw mem-bers adapted to receive an` extraneous source oflappliedpressure Ato separate the jaw members against .thef force` of said springs to admit an assembled-flask, and, whereby upon the release of saidfextraneouspressure the said springs hold thefinsertedzflask sections together.

2V. lAsclampV-for. uniformly distributing holding pressure4 to Ithe assembled mating sections of a denture flaskycomprising, a pair of parallel jaw members intertted. for.v limited movement toward.eachotherinitiallytoprovide a space therebetween of less thickness than an assembled flask, constantly:energizedisprings tending to hold said jaws in said initial spaced relation, and meanscarriediby one'of 'the jaw'sections `for the application of external pressure'to separate the sections aga-instthe force-'ofthe' springs thereby to receive a flask, and, whenY the extraneous pressure is removed, the sections of the flaskare clampedtogether. Y l

321A clampor uniformly distributing holding pressure to'the assembled matingr sections oa denture flask, comprising, a pairY of opposite parallel' jawv members having slots, a pair of spaced guide arms carried by each jaw member and disposed substantially at right angles thereto, the arms of one member being in slidable contacting relation to the arms of the other jaw member, the arms of one section having shoulders for abutting the inner face of the opposite jaw member, and the arm of the other section extending 'beyond the lower face of said bottom jaw member to provide supporting feet, ears extending outwardly from the end of each jaw member substantially in the plane thereof, and constantly tensioned springs having their opposite ends secured to said ears, whereby said jaw members are drawn toward each other a distance less than the thickness of an assembled flask, as determined by the said shoulders, and, whereby, when the supporting feet are subjected to extraneous pressure, the jaw members are separated to receive an assembled flask, and when the extraneous pressure is removed the sections of the flask are clamped together.

4. A clamp for uniformly distributing holding pressure to the assembled mating sections of a denture flask, comprising, a pair of tubular members having slots, an upper jaw rigidly carried by the upper ends of said tubular members, a lower jaw slidably mounted on the lower portions of the tubular members, springs connecting the upper and lower jaw members, plungers in said tubular members, cross pins in said plungers 6 and.: slidable in: said.;` Sietse. saisi bearing against thezupperfsi'des'ofithe lowerl jawgwherebyi. the: upward movement of:theilowenfjawrislimited, and,l,whenb.the plungers; are rsubjecteditopressure'3 the -lowergj awv is :movedrawayfromthe'f upper jaws' 5". A': clamp ff'orf uniformly.` distributing holdings.

pressure;- to: the s assembled mating;y sectionss ofv ai denturek ask,` comprising, Aan 1 upper jaw having-'1 downwardlyextending) arms'- provided with: slots;- 1o,l andinturne'dxsupporting feet, saidiuipperfj aw ham-` gaging;- thefarms of, theaupper j awl andztheivupperl- Y plungerv ends ofsaid'l` arms 1 entering :the slots fof@ the jaw, studs carried'Y by t'hefrarmsfiof' thev loweriv jaw and ridingrin theslots oftheiarmsfiof the up.- per jaw, and:compressionsprings mountedzb'e`A`Yy tween. the underside of the.. lower jaw andi said inturnedwsupporting feet,

4, 6; A clampvforfuniformly distributingiholdin'gi-l pressure' to :the i assembled mating.: sections; of ai. denture l flasla:l comprising,y an upper jaw 'having-l downwardlyA extending-. arms: andiv intumedesupe porting feet to provideI a base; said 'armsnh'avingf: shoulders; a-lower jawmemben formed at'itszends:

tol slidab'lyreceivev theirv downwardlyf extending;

arms of the upper jaw-member; plunger,"ears. om

the lower'` jaw memberiforxreceiving a soureefoft extraneousY pressure; andl springsfconfined; bel-f l tween the-,base v'and-.the lower: j avv` 7, A clamp' for f uniformly; distributing holding@-l pressure-to-Jthe assembledzsections ofL aldenture'-y flask, comprising; apai-ry oi relativelymovable: upper and. lower jaw.; members-baser eng-aging means forxedly supporting said' upper.y jaw-@meme ber; means forlimiting:thewmovement off saicblower jaw. member. towardsaidrupper: jaw; t'oidistance4 less than thethickness -ofy ana assembledz'f ask, .means= carried by: said lower: jaw' and-A ex-fu tending; above-Nsaid';v upper= j awy for moving: saidf:1

lowerjawawayfrom sai-dupper jaw;1and spring? meansA for` urging: said jaws toward each# otherVT to--subject said flask touniform predetermined;

pressure;y

means associated with one of said jaws adapted to receive an extraneous force capable of moving said one jaw relative to the other to expand the space between said jaws for the reception therebetween of a denture ask, and spring means associated with one of said jaws constantly tending to contract the space between said jaws whereby the denture flask received therebetween will be yieldingly held by said jaws, said spring means being operable to permit expansion of the space 50 between said jaws when one of them receives the extraneous force aforesaid.

9. A clamp for holding a, denture ask, comprising a pair o opposed jaws operable to hold a denture flask therebetween, means for limiting movement of one jaw toward the other for a distance less than the depth of said denture flask, a projection on one of said jaws adapted to receive an extraneous force capable of moving said one jaw relative to the other to expand the space between said jaws for the reception therebetween of a denture flask, and spring means associated with one of said jaws constantly tending to contract the space between said jaws whereby the denture flask received therebetween will be wieldingly held between said jaws.

110.'A.clamp for holding a denture a'sk, .com-

prising a pair of relatively movable jaws operable to hold a denture flask therebetween, means for limiting'movement of the jaws toward each other for a distance less than the depth of said denture flask, means associated with one of said jaws adapted to receive an extraneous force capable of moving said jaws apart so they may receive a denture flask therebetween, and spring means constantly urging said jaws toward each other, said spring means being yieldable to permit separation of said jaws when one of them reeeives the extraneous force aforesaid and operable when said one jaw is relieved of said extraneous force to move said jaws toward each other so that said dentureask received therebetween will be yieldingly held thereby.

l1. A clamp for holding a denture flask, comprising a pair of relatively movable jaws operable to hold a denture flask therebetween, means for limiting movement of the jaws toward each other, means associated with one of said jaws adapted to receive an extraneous force capable of moving said jaws apart so they may receive a denture flask therebetween, and means constantly urging said jaws toward each other, the last mentioned means being yieldable to permit separation of said jaws when one of them receives the extraneous force aforesaid and operable automatically when said one jaw is relieved of said extraneous force to move said jaws toward each other so that said denture ask received therebetween will be yieldingly held thereby.

12. A clamp for holding a denture flask, comprising a pair of relatively movable jaws operable to hold a denture flask therebetween, means for limiting movement of the jaws toward each other, means providing a projection on one of said jaws adapted to receive an extraneous force capable of moving said jaws apart so they may receive a denture flask therebetween, means providing a projection onrthe other of said jaws for engagement with a support beneath said one jaw, and means constantly urging said jaws toward each other, said last mentioned means being yieldable to permit separation of said jaws when one of them receives the extraneous force aforesaid and operable automatically when said one jaw is relieved of said extraneous force to move said jaws toward each other so that said denture flask received therebetween will be yieldingly held thereby.

13. A clamp for holding a denture ask, comprising a pair of relatively movable jaws operable to hold a denture flask therebetween, means for limiting movement of the jaws toward each other, means providing a projection on one of said jaws adapted to receive an extraneous force capable of moving said jaws apart so they -may receive a denture flask therebetween, said jaws having lateral projections, and spring means terminally connected to said lateral projections of the jaws and constantly urging said jaws toward each other.

14. A clamp for holding a denture flask, comprising a lpair of opposed jaws operable to hold a denture flask therebetween, means for limiting movement of one jaw toward the other for a distance less than the depth of said denture ask, means each associated with one of said jaws and projecting beyond the other jaw and therefore adapted for application of a force capable of moving said one jaw relative to the other to expand the space between said jaws for the reception therebetween of a denture flask, and spring means for urging the approach of said jaws.

Y FELIX C. MONTUORI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 566,207 Mignault Aug. 18, 1896 811,479 Burke Jan. 30, 1906 1,651,376 Clark et al. Dec. 6, 1927 2,139,496 Handler Dec. 6, 1938 2,410,453 Mills Nov. 5, 1946 

